It could be a significant night in this season’s title race as the Invermen bid for their third title in four seasons
Andy Ryan was the Larne hero as came off the bench to produce a brace of goals which fired them seven points clear at the top of the table. The Scottish striker, just back from a six month injury lay-off, broke the deadlock from the penalty spot with 15 minutes left before doubling the lead soon afterwards before Paul O’Neill put the icing on the cake when he nodded home to complete the rout.
It could be a significant night in this season’s title race as the Invermen bid for their third title in four seasons. Gary Haveron’s men had been building pressure in the second half but it took the introduction of front pairing Andy Ryan and Paul O’Neill to earn the victory.
Ryan came off the bench to score from the penalty spot – his first goal after six month lay-off – to break the deadlock. He doubled the lead soon afterwards being fellow sub Paul O’Neill added the icing on the cake with five minutes left on the clock.
It could a huge victory in the course of this year’s title race to edge them further clear of both the Bannsiders and the chasing pack as they bid for a third title in the space of four seasons.
Larne began the game brightly and Matty Lusty was in the thick of the action early on when he found himself presented when two glorious goalscoring opportunities.
Firstly, with eight minutes on the clock he robbed debutant Connolly 25 yards out which presented him with the chance to chip the ball goalwards, but with goalkeeper Aidan Harris struggling the ball drifted just wide.
Barely two minutes later, Jordan McEneff crossed low from the right and with the goal at his mercy six yards out Lusty again found the wrong side of the post.
Both meetings between this two sides this season came at the Coleraine Showgrounds, with one win apiece.
Given how closely matched both sides have been throughout the first half of the campaign, it didn’t come as much of a surprise as Coleraine began to come back into this one as the first half went on.
They were beginning to find pockets of space between the Larne midfield and defence, with Joel Cooper and Will Patching both looking dangerous when they got in possession of the ball.
Before this game, there had only been one goal in Larne’s last three games played at Inver Park against Linfield, Glentoran and Cliftonville.
This encounter was shaping up in much the same fashion, with both sides struggling to test the opposition goalkeeper, with much of the game being played in the middle of the pitch.
Much like the start to the first half, Larne enjoyed the opening chance of the second period.
Leory Millar dug out a dangerous cross from the left and it was met by the head of Matty Lusty, but the striker nodded the wrong side of the post from 10 yards out.
Bannsiders boss Higgins turned to his bench soon afterwards, as he gave James Akintunde his debut, replacing Ben Wylie, as he looked for a creative spark at the top end of the pitch.
Soon after he did likewise with the introduction of Jamie McGonigle, who has been in fine goalscoring action since his return from injury.
With Larne knowing that one goal would extend their lead at the top to seven points Gary Haveron was also refusing to settle for the point on offer.
This led him to bringing Andy Ryan into the action and he didn’t have long to wait to make a telling impact.
With the ball only partially cleared inside the Coleraine box former Larne man Levi Ives swung to clear the ball, but ended up fouling Larne striker Tiarnan O’Connor.
Referee Ian McNabb didn’t hesitate in pointing to the penalty spot and Ryan dusted slotted confidently into the bottom right corner.
Larne were in command at this point of proceedings and Ryan was almost doubled the lead soon afterwards when Sean Graham pulled the ball back for Ryan to unleash a half volley which Aidan Harris did well to tip over the bar.
The home supporters didn’t have long to wait to celebrate however, as Ryan grabbed his second in five minutes.
Matty Ridley’s hopeful pass forward caught Lewis McGregor on the should and caused the Scotsman to lose the flight of the ball inside the box, causing Ryan’s eyes to light up and he lashed the ball into the bottom right corner.
The final goal of the blistering 10-minute spell came when fellow substitute Paul O’Neill got in on the scoring action.
Former Derry City man Jordan McEneff had a yard of space on the right flank and his cross was inch perfect for O’Neill at the back post to head across goal and into the bottom right corner.
Larne : Ferguson, Ridley, Donnelly (’83 Nolan), Gallagher, O’Connor (’75 O’Neill), Graham, Millar (’83 Simpson), McEneff, Cosgrove, Lusty (’69 Ryan), Wallace
Subs : D Graham, McKendry, Magee
Coleraine : Harris, Jarvis, McGregor, Patching, Shevlin, Cooper (’65 McGonigle), Ives, Stewart (’81 Okoro), McDonald, Wylie (’55 Akintunde), Connolly
Subs : Webb, Kane, Doherty
Referee : Ian McNabb
